Having released our detailed policy in January, we are delighted to release the comprehensive constitutional draft that informed that policy. It can be downloaded here.
More than 10,000 Australians took part in the ARM's public consultation, which informed the ARM National Committee's policy deliberations and the constitutional amendments.
We believe that it was important to develop a comprehensive draft of the reforms to demonstrate it was not only sound policy, but could also be achieved in practice.
As our policy in January outlined, the amendments sufficiently define the powers and relationship between the parliament, Prime Minister and Head of State, ensuring that the Head of State's powers are limited and delineated from those of the Prime Minister. It specifies exactly when the Head of State will act on advice and the limited circumstances in which they will have discretion.
We are exceptionally grateful for the support we had from our Constitutional Advisory Body, comprising many of the most experienced constitutional scholars in Australia, who also consulted with their colleagues about the changes. The Body was chaired by Professor Emerita Helen Irving.
Professor Emerita Helen Irving (CAB Chair)
Professor Rosalind Dixon
Professor Graeme Orr
Associate Professor Ryan Goss
Michael do Rozario (Corrs Chambers Westgarth) Scientia Professor George Williams AO
Professor Kim Rubenstein
Professor John Williams
Associate Professor Luke Beck
James Whittaker (Corrs Chambers Westgarth)
Chair of the ARM, Peter FitzSimons AM said that the amendments showed that constitutional change was not only possible, but would improve our nation's Constitution.
"More than two years of consultation, detailed analysis and drafting went into creating these reforms and they represent the most credible proposal for an Australian republic published yet."
"Not only do they represent strong policy and sound constitutional reforms, but after deep consultation we are confident they reflect what Australians have overwhelmingly told us they want.
"We're extremely grateful for the support we received from some of Australia's leading constitutional scholars and from everyone who contributed to the consultation and research" Mr FitzSimons said.
